Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Let's all say thank you to the HORSE - Nov. 17th at 11 a.m.

This comes from Mark Mottershead and his Horse Conscious newsletter. It's an email he received from Monica, who makes a wonderful proposal!

Please give 1 Minute of your time to say Thank you to the Horse.

At 11.00 am Wednesday 17th November, 2010

"Over the past few years, I have been lucky enough to meet many people involved in the horse world and what sticks in my mind as I work, is how diverse the role of the horse is within their lives.

For some the horse provides an income. Farriers, vets, livery yard owners, tack shops, feed companies, therapists, instructors, racehorse trainers, studs and many more; their income is based on the horse.

For some they provide the ultimate achievement. From winning medals for our country in many different disciplines, or winning outstanding horse races all over the world, to mastering the first day of rising trot, or the first leap over a small jump, this sense of achievement comes because of the horse.

For some they provide a social network. For example pony or riding clubs; people getting together to share experiences outside of their working lives. They provide a social network at a time in society where many network avenues are being shut down.

For some, they are healers. Horses are being used in several therapeutic riding programs, not just for physical improvement and well being, but for cognitive and emotional conditions in both adults and children.

For some, they are part of the family. They provide routine, stability, they stretch our emotions; they provide a bridge of communication between children and parents, a way of teaching responsibility, leadership, vocational and educational skills. They become friends, soul mates, and most importantly, they provide joy!

Horses deserve this recognition. As modern society encroaches in to land space, the horse and the activities that we enjoy with them, are being squeezed. We are seeing more unusual horse illnesses, some apparently originating from the soil or land that the horses naturally feed on. In certain countries, horse welfare has become critical as the breakdown of social and economic structures has created poverty. In other countries, wild horses are being restricted and/or slaughtered allegedly for the land that they stand on. We as humans have affected the balance of nature, which in turn is affecting the horse.

The horse gives us his generosity, his strength, his ability to 'know' how we feel. They show us, with their herd structure, how to create leadership and order, how to work in harmony and unity.

The Horse deserves a universal 'Thank You'

Whatever the way that the horse enriches your life, I would like to ask you that on Wednesday 17th November, 2010 at 11.00 am, you think about their role in your life and say thank you."

If Monica's message resonates for you, then please feel free to forward this email on to your friends so you can 'thank you' to the horse together.

10 comments:

I love this idea b/c it will pull into one big world-wide voice all of us saying thank you in unison. All that gratitude and heart-felt energy can't help but be heard, felt, and experienced by our equine friends.

i'm in! i thank my own beasties every day, but how could i not join in when there's a chance to collectively thank horses everywhere - and for me i'd like to thank all horses, past and present :-) we owe them so much.

one of those quotes that always stays with me:

Look back on our struggle for freedom,Trace our present day's strength to its source;And you'll find that man's pathway to gloryIs strewn with the bones of a horse.

Count me in! Even though it's a little early in the day, I gave the girls an extra hug this morning. They get some celebratory carrots at 11. And let's hear it for Mark Mottershead too- he's such a good guy.

Billie, I'm still waiting for my thank you from Herself - this may be a long wait. I have taken the liberty of including donkeys in the equines to be thanked...Honestly, the things I do around here and all I ever get is "stop chewing that, don't step on this, put that down!"...

I positively LOVE horses and donkeys.Went to see the film Secretariat and was fascinated with this horse and with all whose faith in him never waivered. It was great watching him come in from the rear of the pack to win most of the races. A Triple Crown Jewel he truly is. It is amazing that no horse has ever come close to finishing a race some ~30 laps ahead of all the other racers. I am not into horse racing but loved the story. Will definitely honor the horse and the donkey with a moment of silence.